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Smoke from forest fires in Manitoba and BC hangs over region

KATHLEEN CHARLEBOIS

Miner and News

Friday, September 1, 2017
10:49:21 EDT AM

Smoke rises from a prescribed burn on an island in the Red Lake District. Smoke from wildfires in northern Manitoba, British Columbia and the northern United States have drifted into the Kenora, Dryden and Fort Frances region, affecting air quality conditions.
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A smoky haze has settled over the region and it looks like it might not be going anywhere soon.

Environment Canada put out a special air quality statement for Kenora at 9:29 a.m. on Thursday, Aug. 31 that said “elevated pollution levels are expected or occurring” due to smoke from forest fires in the west moving into the region. The statement was lifted at 2:57 p.m.

The most recent Aviation, Forest Fire and Emergency Services (AFFES) report for the Northwest Region also stated that heavy smoke is drifting into the Kenora, Fort Frances and Dryden area because of forest fires outside of the province.

Fire Information Officer Deb MacLean said although there are more than 100 fires in the region, the smoke is coming from northern Manitoba, British Columbia and the northern and western United States.

She also said it doesn’t look like the forecast will help with fire suppression efforts.

“We do have a number of active fires, but the weather looks like despite the smoky haze, it’s going to be sunny and warm, certainly over to the western side of our region, which includes the Kenora district,” she said.

MacLean also said current conditions and warm temperatures heading into the weekend create the potential for an extreme fire hazard.

“If we do get rain in the next few days, that will help offset it, but at this point in time it looks like it’s going to be a continuation of high to extreme fire hazards.

In terms of numbers within the region, MacLean said there are currently 152 active fires along the northern sector in the Red Lake, Sioux Lookout and Nipigon districts and the north end of the Thunder Bay district. There is only one fire in the Kenora District that is about 65 kilometres northeast of the city and started on Wednesday, Aug. 30. It is listed as under control at 0.1 hectares in size.

The Environment Canada statement said people may experience symptoms such as increased coughing, throat irritation, headaches or shortness of breath due to the air quality. Children, seniors and those with cardiovascular or lung diseases such as asthma are especially at risk.

People with health concerns related to the smoke should call TeleHealth Ontario at 1-866-797-0000, or if they think there is a fire in their immediate area they can call 310-3473.